Can you hear the envy all the way from Ontario Canada? I have a 2 book matched fingerboards and 2 bridges of king wood (Brazilian or Mexican?) waiting for a special guitar. The colour of the king wood when sanded to 2000 and buffed is STUNNING!!!
I think thay if I could choose a profession that I didn't every have to think about money in, I would absolutely LOVE to source, cut, dry, stabilize and provide an inventory of beautiful wood for such endeavors. My grandfather was a cabinet maker and partially raised me, so I develop a deep love for beautiful woods.
Great to see this wood in such good hands. It occurs naturally in my region. We call it Jacarandá-Violeta (Jacarandá is a indigenous word that we use for Rosewood and Violeta is Violet) and we also have two others beautiful woods: Machaerium acutifolium, called Jacarandá-Caviúna and Brosimum guianense, called Snakewood. Hope to see some video of they someday. Allow me to point the pronunciation of scientific names: Nearly always we take the Latin pronunciation. So Machaerium is Makerium. But in case of names that came from people, such as Dalbergia (from sweden Dalberg brothers) is appreciable to pronunciate the name on the original language. So Dalbergia is Dohlbergia (L sound is like in 'Lever' and G like in 'Giga'). Also cearensis is pronunced with the alveolar R, like a russian saying 'Russia'.
And in a nearby state they have the Violeta's sister, Dalbergia decipularis (Bastião-de-Arruda, Brazilian-Tulipwood). They are so similar trees that the name decipularis came from Latin word decipi which means deceived, but the wood is diferent, with some unbealivable red shades.
I recently purchased one of 4 Brazilian Kingwood custom shop martin guitars. It is visually stunning but the volume and tone is extraordinary! I hope you build this into a fantastic guitar soon.
I’ve been so looking forward to this TT video! I hope my name is still on the back of the boards (please confirm!). The Kingwood will look amazing with the top you’ve selected and I can imagine how incredible the blue/gold patinated copper you showed me will be. The TW-TS guitar is going to be an absolute stunner!
I have a classical guitar made by a Mexican luthier which I thought was Palo Escrito. After watching this I am certain I have Mexican kingwood. Pretty stuff. Thanks for the video.
I'm also North Yorkshire based and make electric guitars as a side project/hobby. think i need to explore the acoustic side more as that's what I play anyway. great videos.
I'm getting Kingwood on a warmoth Stratocaster neck fretboard. I've had it once before and thought it was really great. It's sort of an Undiscovered Gem of sorts in the guitar world.
Hi Tom, I have a question regarding fretboards. Have you ever joined 2 pieces of wood length wise to create a fretboard? I am thinking about doing this to get a symmetrical book-match fretboard wood pattern, and wondering if that can cause any problems? Cheers
I’m surprised you find Brazilian and Mexican Kingwood so alike visually. In my experience, they tend to be noticeably different. Mexican tends to be a lot more purple with tighter an wilder grain. Check out tropical exotic hardwoods. The usually carry Mexican kingwood.
Forgiven as opposed to: “I wanted it made out of Brazilian Kingwood! Not Mexican! Off with their heads!”? Yeah, good thing we’re past those times I guess. But honestly, it would be awesome if you’re able to someday get a piece of camatillo that will show the clear differences and do a side by side. Anyways, I always enjoy these videos. Cheers
@@TomSandsGuitars I found a back and side set online in Canada. It must be more abundant because they use it for flooring also. I made a guitar with Jatoba Back and sides and a Sitka spruce top. Maple neck with rosewood finger board and bridge. It's only my second guitar. I'm going to put a set of medium strings on it. I think lights are too light for it. I will post a video soon.
All the discussion about expensive & elite timbers makes me wonder if luthiers are returning to a traditional system of patronage where we only make guitars for wealthy clients. Most of the best guitars I've recorded are boring Maple / Mahogany / Sitka models. Not particularly elite timbers but an elite sound. Epiphone frontier or Martin D18 anyone. Enjoyed the video though. Rock on Tommy...
Yeah it’s an interesting point Andy and there’s definitely a balance to be struck, it’s a big part of the reason I try to champion and explore more widely available/under appreciated timbers. Cheers dude!
Dare I say pith off? No of corse not. When I first started building we wouldn't look at a piece like that, but, these days we can't be picky so yes a beautiful rosewood. You have to be careful bracing the back. I've seen quite a few guitars with the flat sawn middle that warped.
Amazing looking wood. Unbelievable what a run through the planer reveals.
Isn’t it!?
Can you hear the envy all the way from Ontario Canada? I have a 2 book matched fingerboards and 2 bridges of king wood (Brazilian or Mexican?) waiting for a special guitar. The colour of the king wood when sanded to 2000 and buffed is STUNNING!!!
I wondered what that was!
I think thay if I could choose a profession that I didn't every have to think about money in, I would absolutely LOVE to source, cut, dry, stabilize and provide an inventory of beautiful wood for such endeavors. My grandfather was a cabinet maker and partially raised me, so I develop a deep love for beautiful woods.
Well, maybe you could start something small just to feed your curiosity/passion and see what happens!
Great to see this wood in such good hands. It occurs naturally in my region. We call it Jacarandá-Violeta (Jacarandá is a indigenous word that we use for Rosewood and Violeta is Violet) and we also have two others beautiful woods: Machaerium acutifolium, called Jacarandá-Caviúna and Brosimum guianense, called Snakewood. Hope to see some video of they someday.
Allow me to point the pronunciation of scientific names: Nearly always we take the Latin pronunciation. So Machaerium is Makerium. But in case of names that came from people, such as Dalbergia (from sweden Dalberg brothers) is appreciable to pronunciate the name on the original language. So Dalbergia is Dohlbergia (L sound is like in 'Lever' and G like in 'Giga'). Also cearensis is pronunced with the alveolar R, like a russian saying 'Russia'.
And in a nearby state they have the Violeta's sister, Dalbergia decipularis (Bastião-de-Arruda, Brazilian-Tulipwood). They are so similar trees that the name decipularis came from Latin word decipi which means deceived, but the wood is diferent, with some unbealivable red shades.
Thank you for this thoughtful and helpful comment!
A bit off topic, but I’d like to see a shop tour. Tools etc.
I enjoy the tonewood tutorials and a chance to hear your instruments. Top notch! Jeff
Thanks Jeff, Tommys Toolbox coming soon…
I recently purchased one of 4 Brazilian Kingwood custom shop martin guitars. It is visually stunning but the volume and tone is extraordinary! I hope you build this into a fantastic guitar soon.
Later this year I hope!
I’ve been so looking forward to this TT video! I hope my name is still on the back of the boards (please confirm!). The Kingwood will look amazing with the top you’ve selected and I can imagine how incredible the blue/gold patinated copper you showed me will be. The TW-TS guitar is going to be an absolute stunner!
You bet!
@@TomSandsGuitars I’m a very happy bunny; thank you, Tom ❤️
I have a classical guitar made by a Mexican luthier which I thought was Palo Escrito. After watching this I am certain I have Mexican kingwood. Pretty stuff. Thanks for the video.
Very cool!
I'm also North Yorkshire based and make electric guitars as a side project/hobby. think i need to explore the acoustic side more as that's what I play anyway. great videos.
Thank you!
I'm getting Kingwood on a warmoth Stratocaster neck fretboard. I've had it once before and thought it was really great. It's sort of an Undiscovered Gem of sorts in the guitar world.
It’s amazing stuff
Fantastic!!
Tom, would you expect significant tonal differences between the Brazilian and Mexican Kingwood?
Thanks, John
Gig Harbor, WA
Hey John, I’d be pretty hard pressed to separate them, if I could even tell them apart in the first place! Different species but very similar.
Hi Tom, I have a question regarding fretboards. Have you ever joined 2 pieces of wood length wise to create a fretboard? I am thinking about doing this to get a symmetrical book-match fretboard wood pattern, and wondering if that can cause any problems? Cheers
I have! As long as the joint it good and the wood is well seasoned and prepared, you should be fine.
@@TomSandsGuitars Awesome, thanks!!
Can your Alpine spruce + Kingwood set work for a Spanish classical guitar?
I’m the wrong person to ask really, but I certainly don’t see why not!
I’m surprised you find Brazilian and Mexican Kingwood so alike visually. In my experience, they tend to be noticeably different. Mexican tends to be a lot more purple with tighter an wilder grain. Check out tropical exotic hardwoods. The usually carry Mexican kingwood.
Perhaps it’s just the stuff I’ve handled, but like I say I think you could be forgiven for misidentifying one species for the other.
Forgiven as opposed to: “I wanted it made out of Brazilian Kingwood! Not Mexican! Off with their heads!”? Yeah, good thing we’re past those times I guess. But honestly, it would be awesome if you’re able to someday get a piece of camatillo that will show the clear differences and do a side by side. Anyways, I always enjoy these videos. Cheers
@@polescalante thanks Pol 🙏
What about dalbergia cultrata, Burmese blackwood.
I’ve never come across it. Looks nice
Meu país tem madeiras lindas 🇧🇷
Have you worked with Jatoba or Brazilian Cherry? That stuff is brittle and splits easily.
I haven’t, do you have a good source?
@@TomSandsGuitars I found a back and side set online in Canada. It must be more abundant because they use it for flooring also. I made a guitar with Jatoba Back and sides and a Sitka spruce top. Maple neck with rosewood finger board and bridge. It's only my second guitar. I'm going to put a set of medium strings on it. I think lights are too light for it. I will post a video soon.
U use teak wood?
I’d like to try
I wonder whether it's possible to use 300-year-old antique furniture wood to build a guitar or would it be too dried-up, fragile and dead?
Believe me, every time I see a period piece of furniture I also see guitar sets.
สวัสดีครับ ฉันอยู่ประเทศไทย ฉันกำลังจะปลูกต้นไม้ในพื้นที่ของฉันจำนวนมาก ฉันต้องการสอบถามคุณว่าฉันควรจะปลูกต้นไม้อะไรดีที่มีราคาแพงในตลาดโลกและเป็นที่ตองการมาก
Madagascar rosewood, Brazilian Rosewood, African Blackwood, Cocobolo, Macassar Ebony, Gabon Ebony, and Koa
All the discussion about expensive & elite timbers makes me wonder if luthiers are returning to a traditional system of patronage where we only make guitars for wealthy clients. Most of the best guitars I've recorded are boring Maple / Mahogany / Sitka models. Not particularly elite timbers but an elite sound. Epiphone frontier or Martin D18 anyone. Enjoyed the video though. Rock on Tommy...
Yeah it’s an interesting point Andy and there’s definitely a balance to be struck, it’s a big part of the reason I try to champion and explore more widely available/under appreciated timbers. Cheers dude!
Dare I say pith off? No of corse not. When I first started building we wouldn't look at a piece like that, but, these days we can't be picky so yes a beautiful rosewood. You have to be careful bracing the back. I've seen quite a few guitars with the flat sawn middle that warped.
Certainly is the rub of the green these days Andy. This set will make a very fine guitar I’m sure. Thanks for watching 🙌
Looks like a not so over the top brother of Cocobolo
They’re both dalbergias!
Dalbergia ... the middle syllable is surely pronounced berg, not berge.
I’ve never heard it pronounced that way, but I’d be happy to be proving wrong.
This is Dalbergia Cearensis?I know it is very toxic for lungs, what do you know about dust, I read somewhere is worse than cocobolo!
Looks like a reddish pao ferro to me...
Yeah it’s definitely got some of that going on
@@TomSandsGuitars do only "little difference" is that PaoFerro is cites free 😄
Yeah amazing looking but this wood is acustically dead.
@@donarmando916 it might sound that way in the video, but in reality it isn’t at all.
@TomSandsGuitars I have two sets of this wood and both are sounding dead.